Patient-specific humeral guide designs

ABSTRACT

A humeral cut guide member for resectioning or resurfacing a humeral head, including a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient&#39;s humeral head; a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient&#39;s bicipital groove; and a cut guide plate connected to the bone-engagement member and defining an elongated slot.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to humeral cut guide members.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

During shoulder arthroplasty, the humeral bone may require resurfacing or resecting for receipt of a shoulder implant. Prior to surgery, it is common for the surgeon to take various images via X-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI, or PET of the surgical area including the humeral bone. Based on these images, the surgeon can determine the best course of action for resurfacing or resecting the humeral bone, as well as determine whether the primary procedure for shoulder repair is an anatomical or reverse arthroplasty. During the surgery, however, it is not uncommon for the surgeon to determine that the preselected courses of action are not suitable for the patient. If the course of action changes during surgery, new instruments may be required to properly complete the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone before completing the arthroplasty procedure.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure provides a humeral cut guide member for resurfacing a humeral head. The humeral cut guide member includes a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head, and a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove. The humeral cut guide member also includes a cut guide plate connected to the bone-engagement member and defining an elongated slot.

The present disclosure also provides a humeral cut guide member for resectioning or resurfacing a humeral head including a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head, and a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove. The humeral cut guide member also includes a cut guide plate connected to the bone-engagement member and defining an elongated slot, wherein the cut guide plate is connected to the bone-engagement member by a tube-shaped member extending outward from the bone-engagement member, and the cut guide plate includes a connection portion for receipt of the tube-shaped member such that a position of the cut guide plate relative to the specific patient's humeral head is selectively adjustable along the tube-shaped member.

The present disclosure also provides a method of resectioning or resurfacing a humeral head using a humeral cut guide member including a bone-engagement member that includes a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head, and including a cut guide plate connected to the bone-engagement member. The method includes affixing the humeral cut guide member to the only one position of the specific patient's humeral head; and selectively adjusting a position of the cut guide plate relative to the specific patient's humeral head by moving the cut guide plate along a tube-shaped member that extends from the bone-engagement member.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art implant for reverse shoulder arthroplasty;

FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the prior art implant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is another perspective environmental view of a modified humeral cut guide member according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective environmental view of a humeral cut guide member according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is another perspective environmental view of the humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a modified humeral cut guide member according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure generally provide patient-specific surgical instruments that include, for example, alignment guides, drill guides, and other tools for use in shoulder joint replacement, shoulder resurfacing procedures and other procedures related to the shoulder joint or the various bones of the shoulder joint, including the humeral head. The present disclosure can be applied to anatomic shoulder replacement and reverse shoulder replacement. The patient-specific instruments can be used either with conventional implant components or with patient-specific implant components and/or bone grafts that are prepared using computer-assisted image methods according to the present disclosure. Computer modeling for obtaining three-dimensional images of the patient's anatomy using medical scans of the patient's anatomy (such as MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-rays, PET, etc.), the patient-specific prosthesis components and the patient-specific guides, templates and other instruments, can be prepared using various commercially available CAD programs and/or software available, for example, by Object Research Systems or ORS, Montreal, Canada.

The patient-specific instruments and any associated patient-specific implants and bone grafts can be generally designed and manufactured based on computer modeling of the patient's 3-D anatomic image generated from medical image scans including, for example, X-rays, MRI, CT, PET, ultrasound or other medical scans. The patient-specific instruments can have a three-dimensional engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and match in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software. Very small irregularities need not be incorporated in the three-dimensional engagement surface. The patient-specific instruments can include custom-made guiding formations, such as, for example, guiding bores or cannulated guiding posts or cannulated guiding extensions or receptacles that can be used for supporting or guiding other instruments, such as drill guides, reamers, cutters, cutting guides and cutting blocks or for inserting guiding pins, K-wire, or other fasteners according to a surgeon-approved pre-operative plan.

In various embodiments, the patient-specific instruments of the present disclosure can also include one or more patient-specific guide members for receiving and guiding a tool, such as a drill or saw at corresponding patient-specific insertion points and orientations relative to a selected anatomic or reverse axis for the specific patient. The patient-specific instruments can include guiding or orientation formations and features for guiding the implantation of patient-specific or off-the-shelf implants associated with the surgical procedure. The geometry, shape and orientation of the various features of the patient-specific instruments, as well as various patient-specific implants and bone grafts, if used, can be determined during the pre-operative planning stage of the procedure in connection with the computer-assisted modeling of the patient's anatomy. During the pre-operative planning stage, patient-specific instruments, custom, semi-custom or non-custom implants and other non-custom tools, can be selected and the patient-specific components can be manufactured for a specific-patient with input from a surgeon or other professional associated with the surgical procedure.

In the following discussion, the terms “patient-specific”, “custom-made” or “customized” are defined to apply to components, including tools, implants, portions or combinations thereof, which include certain geometric features, including surfaces, curves, or other lines, and which are made to closely conform substantially as mirror-images or negatives or complementary surfaces of corresponding geometric features or anatomic landmarks of a patient's anatomy obtained or gathered during a pre-operative planning stage based on 3-D computer images of the corresponding anatomy reconstructed from image scans of the patient by computer imaging methods. Further, patient-specific guiding features, such as, guiding apertures, guiding slots, guiding members or other holes or openings that are included in alignment guides, drill guides, cutting guides, rasps or other instruments or in implants are defined as features that are made to have positions, orientations, dimensions, shapes and/or define cutting planes and axes specific to the particular patient's anatomy including various anatomic or mechanical axes based on the computer-assisted pre-operative plan associated with the patient.

The patient-specific guide members can be configured to mate in alignment with natural anatomic landmarks by orienting and placing the corresponding alignment guide intra-operatively on top of the bone to mate with corresponding landmarks. The anatomic landmarks function as passive fiducial identifiers or fiducial markers for positioning of the various alignment guide members, drill guides or other patient-specific instruments.

The various patient-specific alignment guide members can be made of any biocompatible material, including, polymer, ceramic, metal or combinations thereof. The patient-specific alignment guide members can be disposable and can be combined or used with reusable and non-patient-specific cutting and guiding components.

More specifically, the present disclosure provides various embodiments of patient-specific humeral cut guide members for anatomic and reverse arthroplasty. The humeral cut guides of the present disclosure can have patient-specific engagement surfaces that reference various portions of the shoulder joint and include tubular drill guides, guiding bores or sleeves or other guiding formations that can accurately position guide pins for later humeral preparation and implantation procedures and for alignment purposes, including implant position control, implant version control, implant inclination control for both anatomic and reverse arthroplasty.

In the following, when a portion of a humeral guide member is described as “referencing” a portion of the anatomy, it will be understood that the referencing portion of the humeral guide member is a patient-specific portion that mirrors or is a negative of the corresponding referenced anatomic portion.

In some embodiments the humeral guide member can have built-in holes, openings or windows that allow the surgeon to mark the humeral bone or a model of the humeral bone with a marking pen, burr, scalpel, or any other device that can create markings to be used as landmarks on or in the humeral bone or humeral model. These landmarks can be used for the orientation of a secondary guide.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art reverse shoulder implant 10 is illustrated. The reverse shoulder implant 10 includes a humeral stem 12, a humeral tray 14, a humeral bearing 16, a glenosphere 18 and a baseplate 20 having a plate portion 22 and a central boss 24. The humeral stem 12 is implanted in the humeral bone 26 and has a proximal end 28 coupled via a Morse taper connection to a male taper 30 extending from a plate 32 of the humeral tray 14. The glenosphere 18 can be modular and include a head 34 articulating with the bearing 16 and an offset double-taper component 36. The double-taper component 36 has a first tapered portion 38 coupled to a corresponding tapered opening 40 of the head 34 and a second tapered portion 42 coupled to the central boss 24 of the glenoid baseplate 20. A central screw 44 passes through the baseplate 20 into the glenoid face 46 of the patient's scapula. Peripheral screws 48 are used to lock the baseplate 20 in the glenoid face 46.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, humeral bone 26 includes a planar surface 50 for abutment with plate 32 of humeral tray 14. To provide planar surface 50, humeral bone 26 is cut using a tool such as a bone saw (not shown). To properly orient the saw at the correct angle relative to humeral bone 26, the present disclosure provides a humeral cut guide system 52.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, an exemplary humeral cut guide system 52 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 52 includes a patient-specific humeral cut guide member 54. Humeral cut guide member 54 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 54 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 54 includes a bone-engagement member 58 having a bone-engagement surface 60 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 61 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, bone-engagement member 58 and bone-engagement surface 60 are each pie-shaped and specifically designed to mate and nest on a proximal portion of the lesser tuberosity 62 of humeral bone 26. An opposing surface 64 of bone-engagement member 58 defines a protrusion 66 that provides a curved contact surface 68 that allows humeral cut guide member 54 to be manipulated by the surgeon into correct alignment on the humeral bone 26. In other words, the surgeon may place a finger-tip upon contact surface 68, which allows the surgeon to more easily orient the humeral cut guide member 54 in a manner that bone-engagement surface 60 properly aligns with bone surface 62 of humeral bone 26.

A curved connecting member 70 extends away from bone-engagement member 58 and connects bone-engagement member 58 with a patient-specific pin guide aperture 72. Pin guide aperture 72 is aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guidewire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. As illustrated, connecting member 70 is spaced apart from humeral bone 26. It should be understood, however, that connecting member 70 may be designed to abut humeral bone 26. In such a case, connecting member 70 may also include a patient-specific mating surface that is designed to mate and nest with humeral bone 26 in a single position.

A registration member 74 extends away from bone-engagement member 58 in a direction different from that of connecting member 70. Similar to bone-engagement member 58, registration member 74 includes a bone-engagement surface 76 that is designed to mate and nest with humeral bone 26 in a single position. Specifically, bone-engagement surface 76 of registration member 74 is patient-specifically sized and shaped to mate with the bicipital groove 78 (see, e.g., FIG. 6) of humeral bone 26. Thus, registration member 74 is an elongated tab-shaped member having a proximal end 80 unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 58 and a distal end 82 located away from bone-engagement member 58. With the pie-shaped bone-engagement member 58 and elongated registration member 74, humeral cut guide member 54 is configured to nest with humeral head 26 in a single position with as little material as possible. In this manner, a majority (i.e., at least 75%) of humeral head 26 is exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26.

Humeral cut guide member 54 includes a cut guide plate 84 including an elongated slot 86. As best shown in FIG. 5, cut guide plate 84 is unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 58 with a cylindrically-shaped member 88 that extends outward from bone-engagement member 58 in a direction different from each of connecting member 70 and registration member 74. Cylindrically-shaped member 88 extends outward from bone-engagement member 88 to an extent that cut guide plate 84 will be spaced apart from humeral head 26. By spacing cut guide plate 84 away from humeral head 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. It should be understood, however, that cut guide plate 84 may be configured to abut humeral bone 26 during pre-operative design of humeral cut guide system 52, if desired.

Cut guide plate 84 includes an upper surface 90 and a lower surface 92, with elongated slot 86 positioned therebetween. Upper surface 90 includes a reinforcing rib 94 extending along an entire length of upper surface 90. Lower surface 92 defines a pair of tube-shaped apertures 96. Tube-shaped apertures are configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26. After drilling of the humeral bone 26, a pair of pins (not shown) such as Steinmann pins or K-wires may be implanted in humeral bone 26, which may be used to assist in securing humeral cut guide member 54 to humeral bone 26. Alternatively, the pair of pins may be used to support a secondary cut guide (not shown) that is configured to assist in resecting or resurfacing of the humeral bone 26 at a different angle in comparison to the angle defined by humeral cut guide member 54. An exemplary secondary cut guide may be found in U.S. Ser. No. 14/265,577 assigned to Biomet Manufacturing, LLC. In this regard, after implantation of the pins, the humeral cut guide member 54 may be removed from humeral bone 26 with the pins remaining in place. The secondary cut guide may then be mated with the pins relative to the humeral bone 26.

Although not required, lower surface 92 may extend outward relative to upper surface 90 such that a shelf or platform 98 is formed. Platform 98 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50. It should be understood that if platform 98 is used, upper surface 90 and reinforcing rib 94 may be omitted. In such a configuration, the tool blade would simply lie upon platform 98 during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26.

Now referring to FIGS. 6-8, another exemplary humeral cut guide system 200 is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 200 includes a humeral cut guide member 202. Humeral cut guide member 202 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 202 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 202 includes a bone-engagement member 204 having a bone-engagement surface 206 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 61 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6, bone-engagement member 204 and bone-engagement surface 206 are specifically designed to mate and nest on a distal portion of the lesser tuberosity 62 of humeral bone 26. In this regard, a bone-engagement member 204 is a curved member including an upper edge 208 located adjacent the distal portion of the less tuberosity 62, an opposing lower edge 210, and side edges 212.

As best illustrated in, for example, FIGS. 7 and 8, bone-engagement member 204 wraps about a portion of humeral bone 26 in the medial direction from the bicipital groove 78. A registration member 214 is located at a first end 216 of bone-engagement member 204. Registration member 214 extends away from upper edge 208 of bone-engagement member 204 in a direction substantially orthogonal to bone-engagement member 204. Similar to bone-engagement member 204, registration member 214 includes a bone-engagement surface 218 that is designed to mate and nest with humeral bone 26 in a single position.

Specifically, bone-engagement surface 218 of registration member 214 is patient-specifically sized and shaped to mate with the bicipital groove 78 of humeral bone 26. Thus, registration member 214 is an elongated tab-shaped member having a proximal end 220 unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 214 and a distal end 222 located away from upper edge 208. With the bone-engagement member 204 and elongated registration member 214, humeral cut guide member 204 is configured to nest with humeral head 26 at a position that allows for nearly an entirety (i.e., at least 90%) of humeral head 26 to be exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26.

Humeral cut guide member 202 includes a cut guide plate 224 including an elongated slot 226. As best shown in FIG. 8, cut guide plate 224 is unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 214 at a second end 228 of bone-engagement member 214. Specifically, cut guide plate 224 includes an upper surface 230 and a lower surface 232, with elongated slot 226 positioned therebetween. Lower surface 232 defines a first tube-shaped aperture 234 that, in addition to being configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26, connects cut guide plate 224 to second end 228. A second tube-shaped aperture 236 is located at distal end 222 of registration member 214, and is connected to cut guide plate 224 via a connecting arm 238.

Similar to the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, after drilling of the humeral bone 26, a pair of pins (not shown) such as Steinmann pins or K-wires may be implanted in humeral bone 26 using first and second tube-shaped apertures 234 and 236, which may be used to assist in securing humeral cut guide member 202 to humeral bone 26. Alternatively and as also described in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the pair of pins may be used to support a secondary cut guide (not shown) that is configured to assist in resecting or resurfacing of the humeral bone 26 at a different angle in comparison to the angle defined by humeral cut guide member 202.

Although cut guide plate 224 is illustrated as being spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood that cut guide plate 224 may be configured to abut humeral bone 26 during pre-operative design of humeral cut guide system 52, if desired. By spacing cut guide plate 224 away from humeral head 26, however, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Further, although not required, lower surface 232 may extend outward relative to upper surface 230 such that a shelf or platform 98 (see FIG. 5, described above) is formed. Platform 98 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50.

Still further, it should be understood that humeral cut guide system 200 may include the curved connecting member 70, which may extend away from upper surface 230 of cut guide plate 224 and connect cut guide plate 224 member with a patient-specific pin guide aperture 72 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). The pin guide aperture 72 may be aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guidewire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another exemplary humeral cut guide system 300 is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 300 includes a humeral cut guide member 302. Humeral cut guide member 302 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 302 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 302 includes a bone-engagement member 304 having a bone-engagement surface 306 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 62 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software.

As best illustrated in FIG. 9, bone-engagement member 304 and bone-engagement surface 306 are specifically designed to mate and nest medially off of the proximal humeral bone 26. In this regard, a bone-engagement member 304 is a curved member including an upper edge 308 located adjacent the distal portion of the greater tuberosity 63, an opposing lower edge 310, and side edges 312. Bone-engagement member 304 wraps about a portion of humeral bone 26 laterally from the distal portion of the greater tuberosity 63 in a direction toward bicipital groove 78, and includes a first end 314 and a second end 316. Extending from second end 316 is a cut guide plate 318 including an elongated slot 320.

As best shown in FIG. 9, cut guide plate 318 is unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 304 at a second end 316. Cut guide plate 318 includes an upper surface 322 and a lower surface 324, with elongated slot 320 positioned therebetween. Lower surface 322 defines a first tube-shaped aperture 326 that is configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26, and after drilling of the humeral bone 26, is configured to receive a pin (not shown) that is operable to secure humeral cut guide member 302 to the humeral bone 26. A second tube-shaped aperture 328 may also be formed at second end 316 that is configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26, and after drilling of the humeral bone 26, is configured to receive a pin (not shown) that is operable to secure humeral cut guide member 302 to the humeral bone 26. The above-noted configuration allows for nearly an entirety (i.e., at least 90%) of humeral head 26 to be exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26.

Although not illustrated, it should be understood that humeral cut guide system 300 may include the curved connecting member 70, which may extend away from upper surface 322 of cut guide plate 318 and connect cut guide plate 318 with a patient-specific pin guide aperture 72 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). The pin guide aperture 72 may be aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guidewire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. Alternatively, the curved connecting member 70 and pin guide aperture 72 may extend from upper edge 308 at a location positioned proximate first end 314.

In addition, although cut guide plate 318 is illustrated as being spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood that cut guide plate 318 may be configured to abut humeral bone 26 during pre-operative design of humeral cut guide system 300, if desired. By spacing cut guide plate 318 away from humeral head 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Further, although not required, lowersurface 322 may extend outward relative to upper surface 320 such that a shelf or platform 98 (see FIG. 5, described above) is formed. Platform 98 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or esecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50.

Now referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, another exemplary humeral cut guide system 400 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 400 includes a ring-shaped patient-specific humeral cut guide member 402 that encircles the greater tuberosity 63 of the humeral head 26. Humeral cut guide member 402 is patient-specific and includes a bone-engagement surface 404 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 61 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software. Although humeral cut guide member 402 is illustrated as being ring-shaped, it should be understood that humeral cut guide member 402 may be horseshoe-shaped (FIG. 13), if desired.

Humeral cut guide member 402, in addition to bone-engagement surface 404, includes an upper surface 406 and a lower surface 408. Extending radially inward and over humeral head 26 toward a center of humeral cut guide member 402 are a plurality of pie-shaped ribs 410. Ribs 410 may include a wider proximal portion 412 unitary with humeral cut guide member 402 and a narrower distal portion 414. Alternatively, ribs 410 may include the same width along the entire length thereof. Although only three ribs 410 are illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of ribs 410 may be used, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Regardless, spaces 411 between ribs 410 allow for easier viewing of humeral head 26 by the surgeon during the surgical procedure. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 402 is designed such that at least 50% of the humeral head 26 is exposed or visible when humeral cut guide member 402 is mated thereto.

The distal portions 414 terminate at a patient specific pin guide aperture 416. Pin guide aperture 416 may be aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guidewire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. Pin guide aperture 416 includes an exterior surface 418 and a bone-engagement surface 420. Bone-engagement surface 420 may be patient specifically designed pre-operatively. Further, although ribs 410 are illustrated as being spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood that ribs 410 may abut humeral head 26 with a patient specific bone-engagement surface as well.

A cut guide plate 422 is unitary or connected to humeral cut guide member 402 by a pair of connection members 424 such that cut guide plate 422 is spaced apart from humeral bone 26. By spacing cut guide plate 422 away from humeral head 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Cut guide plate 422 includes an upper surface 426 and a lower surface 428, with an elongated slot 430 positioned therebetween. Lower surface 428 defines a pair of tube-shaped apertures 432 that are configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26. After drilling of the humeral bone 26, the tube-shaped apertures 432 are configured to receive a pin (not shown) that is operable to secure humeral cut guide member 402 to the humeral bone 26. The above-noted configuration allows for a majority of humeral head 26 to be exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26.

Although cut guide plate 422 is illustrated as being spaced apart from humeral head 26, which is desirable to preserve soft tissue as noted above, it should be understood that cut guide plate 422 may be configured abut humeral bone 26 during pre-operative design of humeral cut guide system 400, if desired. Further, although not required, lower surface 428 may extend outward relative to upper surface 426 such that a shelf or platform 98 is formed. Platform 98 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50.

Moreover, although not illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, it should be understood that humeral cut guide member 402 may include a registration member (see, e.g., the registration member 74 in FIG. 3) similar to those described above. That is, humeral cut guide member 402 may include registration member (not shown) that extends away from humeral cut guide member 402 in a direction different from that ribs 410 including a bone-engagement surface 76 that is designed to mate and nest with the bicipital groove 78 of humeral bone 26.

Now referring to FIGS. 14-20, another exemplary humeral cut guide system 500 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. Humeral cut guide system 500 includes a patient-specific humeral cut guide member 502. Humeral cut guide member 502 is configured to be patient-specific such that humeral cut guide member 502 mates with and nests in only one position on humeral bone 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 502 includes a bone-engagement member 504 having a bone-engagement surface 506 that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position (i.e., as a substantially negative or mirror or inverse surface) with a three-dimensional bone surface 62 of humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues, which is reconstructed as a 3-D image via the aforementioned CAD or software.

As best illustrated in FIG. 14, bone-engagement member 504 includes an elongated primary member 508 extending in a first direction (i.e., a direction parallel with a coronal plane of the body) over humeral head 26, including a pin guide aperture 510. Pin guide aperture 510 is aligned per the specific patient and allows for passage of a drill, Steinmann pin, or guide wire (not shown), that allows humeral bone 26 to be reamed at the appropriate location for any desired resurfacing of humeral bone 26. Bone-engagement member 504 also includes a pair of secondary members 512 extending substantially orthogonal to primary member 508. Secondary members 512 define a portion of bone-engagement surface 506, and assist in mating and nesting humeral cut guide member 502 in only one position on humeral bone 26 with or without associated soft tissues.

Bone-engagement member 504 also includes a registration member 514 that is patient-specifically sized and shaped to mate with the bicipital groove 78 of humeral bone 26. Thus, registration member 514 is an elongated tab-shaped member having a proximal end 516 unitary or connected to bone-engagement member 504 and a distal end 518 located away from bone-engagement member 504. With the primary member 508, secondary members 512, and elongated registration member 514, humeral cut guide member 504 is configured to nest with humeral head 26 in a single position with as little material as possible. In this manner, a majority of humeral head 26 is exposed during the surgical procedure to allow the surgeon greater visual access to the humeral head 26. In this regard, humeral cut guide member 502 is designed such that at least 60% of the humeral head 26 is exposed or visible when humeral cut guide member 402 is mated thereto.

Registration member 514 may also define a protrusion 520 that provides a curved contact surface 522 that allows humeral cut guide member 504 to be manipulated by the surgeon into correct alignment on the humeral bone 26. In other words, the surgeon may place a finger-tip upon contact surface 522, which allows the surgeon to more easily orient the humeral cut guide member 504 in a manner that bone-engagement surface 506 properly aligns with bone surface 62 of humeral bone 26.

Humeral cut guide member 502 includes a cut guide plate 524 including an elongated slot 526. As best shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 18, and 19, cut guide plate 524 is connected to bone-engagement member 504 with a tube-shaped member 528 that extends outward from registration member 514 such that cut guide plate 524 may be spaced apart from humeral head 26. By spacing cut guide plate 524 away from humeral head 26, the unnecessary removal of soft-tissue (e.g., muscle, cartilage, etc.) from humeral head 26 is prevented, which assists in the patient's recovery after the arthroplasty. Although tube-shaped member 528 extends outward from bone-engagement member 504 to an extent that cut guide plate 524 will be spaced apart from humeral head 26, it should be understood, however, that the location of cut guide plate 524 may be adjusted along tube-shaped member 528 such that cut guide plate 524 may be moved closer to humeral bone 26, if desired.

More specifically, cut guide plate 524 includes a connection portion 530 at an end 532 thereof that is configured to mate with tube-shaped member 528. Further, connection portion 530 may include a mating aperture 534 that is designed to mate with one of a plurality of protrusions 536 formed along a surface 539 of tube-shaped member 528. In this regard, connection portion 530 may be urged along tube-shaped member 528 to adjust the position of cut guide plate 524 relative to humeral head 26. As connection portion 530 is urged along tube-shaped member 528, the mating aperture 534 will mate with protrusions 536 such that connection portion 530 may be positioned at the selected protrusion 536. Connection portion 530 may then only be moved when a force sufficient to disengage the mating aperture 534 from the selected protrusion 536 is provided to the connection portion 530. In this manner, the position of cut guide plate 524 may be selectively adjusted based on the preferences of the surgeon during the shoulder arthroplasty. It should be understood that although cut guide plate 524 has been described above as being movable along tube-shaped member 528, the present disclosure contemplates configurations where cut guide plate 524 is immovably fixed to tube-shaped member 528.

As best shown in FIG. 16, cut guide plate 524 includes an upper member 538 spaced apart from a lower member 540, with elongated slot 526 defined by a gap 542 between upper member 538 and lower member 540. Lower member 540 defines an elongated aperture 544 that is configured to receive a drill (not shown) for drilling humeral bone 26. After drilling of the humeral bone 26, a pin (not shown) such as a Steinmann pin or K-wire may be implanted in humeral bone 26, which may be used to assist in positioning humeral cut guide member 502 relative to humeral bone 26. In the illustrated embodiment, elongated aperture 544 travels parallel to tube-shaped member 528 to allow cut guide plate 524 to move along tube-shaped member 528 without interference from the pin (not shown). If cut guide plate 524 is immovable fixed to tube-shaped member 528, however, it will be appreciated that elongated aperture 544 may extend in a non-parallel manner relative to tube-shaped member 528 to assist in securing cut guide member 502 to humeral bone 526.

Although only a single elongated aperture 544 is illustrated in the figures, it should be understood that a pair of elongated apertures 544 may be used to allow for a pair of pins to be used to support a secondary cut guide (not shown) that is configured to assist in resecting or resurfacing of the humeral bone 26 at a different angle in comparison to the angle defined by humeral cut guide member 502. An exemplary secondary cut guide may be found in U.S. Ser. No. 14/265,577 assigned to Biomet Manufacturing, LLC. In this regard, after implantation of the pins, the humeral cut guide member 502 may be removed from humeral bone 26 with the pins remaining in place. The secondary cut guide may then be mated with the pins relative to the humeral bone 26.

Although not required, lower member 540 may define a surface 546 that extends outward relative to upper member 538 such that a shelf or platform 548 is formed. Platform 548 allows for a greater amount of surface area for the tool blade (not shown) to lie upon during resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26. In this manner, the tool blade is substantially prevented from being improperly angled during the resurfacing or resecting of the humeral bone 26 to form planar surface 50.

Lastly, as best shown in FIG. 20, a support bar 550 may fix upper member 538 to lower member 540. Support bar 550 is formed at an opposite end 552 of cut guide plate 524 relative to tube-shaped member 528, and assist in maintaining the proper gap 542 between upper member 538 and lower member 540. Notwithstanding, it should be understood that support bar 550 is removable during surgery by cutting support bar 550 with the saw or blade for resecting or resurfacing humeral bone 26, as desired by the surgeon. It should be understood that although tube-shaped member 528 is illustrated as fixing cut guide plate 524 in one position relative to humeral head 26, tube-shaped member 528 may be adjustable as illustrated in FIGS. 14-19.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A humeral cut guide member for a humeral head, comprising: a bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head; a registration member connected to the bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove; a cut guide plate connected to and extending away from the bone-engagement member such that, upon the bone-engagement member mating and nesting with the specific patient's humeral head, the cut guide plate is spaced apart from the humeral head; a connecting member connected to and extending away from the bone-engagement member; and a humeral-head-engagement member connected to the connecting member; wherein the humeral-head-engagement member comprises a third patient-specific surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with an articulating surface of the specific patient's humeral head.
 2. The humeral cut guide member according to claim 1, wherein the cut guide plate includes a shelf.
 3. The humeral cut guide member according to claim 1, wherein the cut guide plate includes at least one tube-shaped aperture.
 4. The humeral cut guide member according to claim 1, wherein the cut guide plate includes a removable support configured to be cut away by guiding a cutting instrument along the cut guide plate.
 5. The humeral cut guide system according to claim 1, wherein the bone-engagement member is configured to mate with a surface proximal to a lesser tuberosity.
 6. The humeral cut guide member of claim 1, wherein the humeral-head-engagement member comprises an aperture for receiving a pin.
 7. The humeral cut guide member of claim 1, wherein the humeral-head-engagement member and the registration member comprise substantially cylindrical bodies.
 8. The humeral cut guide member of claim 1, wherein the registration member includes an aperture to receive a pin.
 9. A humeral cut guide member for a humeral head, comprising: a first bone-engagement member including a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position on a specific patient's humeral head; a second bone-engagement member connected to the first bone-engagement member including a second patient-specific bone engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with the specific patient's bicipital groove; a cut guide plate connected to the first bone-engagement member; a connecting member extending from the first bone-engagement member; and a third bone-engagement member connected to the connecting member; wherein the connecting member is spaced from bone between the first and third bone-engagement members; and the cut guide plate is spaced from bone by the first bone-engagement member.
 10. The humeral cut guide member according to claim 9, wherein the cut guide plate includes a shelf and at least one tube-shaped aperture.
 11. The humeral cut guide member according to claim 9, wherein the humeral cut guide is a monolithic body.
 12. The humeral cut guide member of claim 9, wherein the cut guide plate includes an extension to engage bone and the cut guide plate is spaced from bone between the extension and the first bone-engagement member.
 13. The humeral cut guide member of claim 9, wherein: the first bone-engagement member is configured to mate with a surface proximal to a lesser tuberosity; and the third bone-engagement member is configured to mate with an articulating surface of the humeral head.
 14. The humeral cut guide member of claim 9, wherein the third bone-engagement member comprises an aperture for receiving a pin.
 15. A humeral cut guide member for a humeral head of a humerus bone, comprising: a cut guide plate defining a surface for guiding a cutting tool; a first bone-engagement member connected to the cut guide plate and including a first bone-engagement surface that is positioned to mate with the humerus bone proximal a lesser tuberosity; a second bone-engagement member connected to the cut guide plate and including a second bone-engagement surface that is positioned to mate with a bicipital groove of the humerus bone; and a third bone-engagement member connected to the cut guide plate and including a third bone-engagement surface that is positioned to mate with an articulating surface of a humeral head of the humerus bone; wherein the first, second and third bone-engagement members are configured to elevate the cut guide plate away from engagement with the humerus bone.
 16. The humeral cut guide member of claim 15, wherein: the first bone-engagement surface comprises a first patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is complementary and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position proximal to a lesser tuberosity of a specific patient's humerus bone; the second bone-engagement surface comprises a second patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with a bicipital groove of the specific patient's humerus bone; and the third bone-engagement surface comprises a third patient-specific bone-engagement surface that is sized and made to substantially mate and nest in only one position with an articulating surface of the specific patient's humerus bone.
 17. The humeral cut guide member of claim 15, wherein the third bone-engagement member comprises an aperture for receiving a pin. 